On Monday, the leader of the Roots Party, George Wajackoyah, caused a stir among the public when he shared images on his social media documenting his visit to relatives in Busibi village, Funyula, Busia County.
Accompanied by his son, who was making his inaugural trip to the country from the UK, Wajackoyah aimed to reconnect with his roots and pay a visit to his grandfather, Ondenga, son of Okonyo, belonging to the renowned Abakhulo clan.
However, what drew the attention of many Kenyans was the dismal state of the compound in Busibi village.
Despite Wajackoyah’s affluent lifestyle, the village presented a stark contrast, marked by dilapidated houses on the brink of collapse. The sitting room, where they gathered, featured minimal furnishings with plastic chairs occupied by family members, and an aged table positioned at the center. Most of the houses in the village were constructed from mud, while some utilized grass and iron sheets for shelter.
The images sparked reactions from various quarters, including Azimio spokesperson Makau Mutua, who directly addressed Wajackoyah. He expressed astonishment at the stark difference between the leader’s global success and the impoverished conditions of his closest relatives.
“My brother George Luchiri Wajackoyah, you are a global — GLOBAL — citizen. You have lived and succeeded in the most advanced countries in the West. I still vividly remember when you came dressed like a business mogul to visit me when I was Dean at the State University of New York, Buffalo Law School. You can’t allow your closest relatives to live in such pre-historic squalor. Do something!” Mutua wrote.
Additionally, Kenyans on social media shared their perspectives, urging Wajackoyah to make a positive impact on his relatives’ lives. Philip Okwanyi suggested that even a small, semi-permanent house would significantly improve their living conditions. Mokaya Fin called on Wajackoyah to consider the plight of his blood relatives, especially given his aspirations to become the president of Kenya, representing diverse sub-tribes like the Borana and the Ogiek.
Mugambi, another social media user, expressed total dismay, emphasizing the evident disparity between Wajackoyah’s affluence and the impoverished state in which his grandmother resides.
